Funding to provide personalised care for people with cancer

Richard Metcalfe, Macmillan Programme Lead, Macmillan Living with and Beyond Cancer Programme, writes about a huge regional investment in cancer care and support from NHS England:

“ Local people with cancer will benefit from increased communication across regional hospitals and a more personalised experience when diagnosed thanks to a massive investment from NHS England.

“The South Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and North Derbyshire Cancer Alliance , has been awarded £375,000 to improve the experience of people living with and beyond cancer in the region.

“The project, which is part funded by Macmillan Cancer Support , reflects the aspiration of the Cancer Alliance to develop services based around the whole person, not just their cancer.

“The money allocated to the Cancer Alliance, will support the Macmillan Living With And Beyond Cancer Programme to roll out an electronic system across five local Hospital Trusts (Barnsley, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Doncaster and Rotherham).

“This means that when health care professionals talk with patients they can record the most important issues to them. This tool (sometimes called a Holistic Needs Assessment) will work with a patient’s Treatment Summary and (with consent) can be easily shared with GPs.

“This improved process will result in better communication between the different healthcare professionals that look after patients, both in hospital, GP practices and in the local community.

“It will mean patient care is more co-ordinated.

“We know that a diagnosis of cancer is so much more than just treating the disease; it affects every aspect of a person’s life. We hope this new personalised approach to care will ensure a person’s changing physical, emotional and practical needs are met.

“The NHS England funding will also pay for electronic tablets, meaning healthcare professionals are not restricted to where these important conversations can take place.

“This partnership between NHS England, the Cancer Alliance and Macmillan illustrates the benefits of large organisations working together for the benefit of people living with and beyond cancer.”

Notes:

The South Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and North Derbyshire Cancer Alliance Alliance works in collaboration with health, local government, voluntary, community and charitable organisations across the area to develop services which best meet the needs of their local populations but which can be rolled out with greater impact across the population.

The Cancer Alliance is one of 16 across England established to deliver the improvements set out in the NHS England national cancer strategy and forms the cancer priority workstream of the Health and Care Working Together in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.

Macmillan is a member of the Cancer Alliance through The Macmillan Living With And Beyond Cancer Programme.